chassis
SHASS-ee
/ˈʃæ.si/
The structural base frame of a motor vehicle or other wheeled device upon which the body, engine, and suspension are mounted.
Plural is spelled the same ('chassis') but pronounced with a 'z' sound at the end (/ˈʃæ.ziz/).
The story behind the word. Derived from French 'châssis' (frame), coming from Latin 'capsa' (box). It originally referred to artillery gun mount frames before being applied to horse-drawn carriages and, ultimately, motorized vehicles.
Word relationships
- framework: 'Framework' is generic for any supportive structure; 'chassis' specifically denotes a vehicle or heavy equipment frame.
Commonly confused with
- bodywork: Bodywork refers to the exterior metal and plastic skin of a vehicle, whereas chassis is the load-bearing skeleton beneath.
Word family
- chassis (noun): singular and plural form (plural pronounced SHASS-eez)
Collocations
- chassis frame
- chassis stiffness
- chassis lubrication
- rolling chassis
Example sentences
- "Engineers stiffened the aluminum chassis to enhance stability and reduce vibration during high-speed cornering." Automotive design inspection
- "Inspecting under the car revealed that while the body panels looked pristine, salt had severely rusted the steel chassis." Rust restoration
Memory hook
The CHASSIS is the strong Frame CHAS-ing under the car body. Underlying frame supporting everything.
When not to use
Do not use to describe external decorative body panels or interior seats.
Fun facts
- In modern unibody cars, the chassis and body are welded into a single structural unit, contrasting with classic 'body-on-frame' truck construction.
Related words
Explore more words
foundation, load-bearing, Framework, transmission, truss, fuselage
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